Program Overview

Introduction to Postgraduate Research

The commencement of a postgraduate research degree is an exciting yet challenging period. This section provides essential information and useful contacts necessary for starting the research journey.

Essential Information

All postgraduate research students are required to complete several mandatory courses and training sessions within the first three months of their studies. These include:

• Research Ethics Training: A course that covers two modules, 'Being a Researcher' and 'Research Ethics in Practice'. Students must complete both modules and all quizzes.
• GDPR Training (English or Welsh): The passing mark is 80%.
• Diversity in the Workplace: The passing mark is 70%.
• Prevent Awareness and Duty to Protect Training: The passing mark is 80%.

Analysis of Development Needs

The Analysis of Development Needs process is designed to help students identify and reflect on key areas that need development, in line with the Postgraduate Research Training Framework. Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences faculty who register from October 2024 onwards must complete the Analysis of Development Needs. Other research students can access the Analysis of Development Needs on a voluntary basis.

International Travel

If students are traveling abroad as part of their research, they must follow specific steps to access Crisis24 Horizon and complete the mandatory Personal Safety Awareness training module before traveling.

Health and Safety

The University is committed to ensuring that all activities undertaken by students, whether on campus, in University buildings, or while working off campus (e.g., fieldwork), are conducted to the highest possible standards of health and safety.

• Introduction to Health and Safety: A course that provides an overview of health and safety processes at the University, including emergency procedures, student responsibilities, and links to additional information, policies, guidance, and further training.
• Laboratory Access: Students who need laboratory access for their research must complete an additional course, Introduction to Health, Safety, and Sustainability for Laboratories. This course covers essential laboratory introductions, laboratory hazards and regulations, emergency procedures, and waste requirements.

Additional Health and Safety Training

The Health, Safety, and Resilience Team offers a wide range of training courses for postgraduate research students and staff. Depending on the research, there may be several essential training courses available to support daily work and professional development.

Mandatory Courses/Training Links

• Research Ethics: All postgraduate research students must complete the mandatory Research Ethics course.
• Confirmation of Candidature: All postgraduate research students must complete some mandatory training within the first three months of their studies.
• Health and Safety: The Health, Safety, and Resilience Team has developed a Health and Safety Introduction course for all postgraduate research students.

Contacts

For assistance with:

• Research Ethics, contact your supervisor or email for further support.
• Confirmation of Candidature, if you have problems with the course content or resources, email Sally Robb or Dr. Teresa Phipps.
• Health and Safety, for queries about health and safety training, email Nina Dicataldo. The Health and Safety Advisors for the Science and Engineering faculty are Lorraine Wild (Science) and Will Finn-Lewis (Engineering).